by Bryce Edwards

14 June 2009

The politics of Chris Knox

The news that New Zealand artist and social commentator Chris Knox has suffered a serious stroke is incredibly sad to hear. As a sort of tribute to Knox, I thought I’d post the responses that he wrote to a political questionnaire that I asked him to fill in about 15 years ago for a leftwing magazine. The content is a bit dated now, of course, but gives a good idea as to the interesting politics of this important leftwing New Zealander. Although in recent years, Knox has been rather soft on the Labour Party, his answers to the questionnaire indicate a rather critical and politically sophisticated punk. [Read more below]

Is the class struggle still relevant?

Yeah, as the gap widens (despite Mr Birch’s insistence that this is a good thing!) it becomes more & more relevant. Obviously ‘class’ in this country is entirely wealth-based and possibly is an out-moded descriptive noun – certainly a widely discredited one by those who would profit by a denial of its existence. Semantics aside the struggle’s more relevant than ever.

What political figure – living or dead – has inspired you the most?

Anderton’s had an impact as did Marilyn Waring and Norm Kirk. But ‘inspired’ is always going to be an exaggeration where politicians are concerned.

What is your opinion of political correctness?

As a hidebound way of looking at the world it is as dangerous as any other political mindset – but has anyone ever actually defined what P.C. is? Seems to me it’s part of the desire on many people’s part to discourage the use of the mind – I’m referring to its manifold denigrators there. My thoughts often coincide with ‘P.C.’ attitudes – often they differ. The term is a weapon used against the process of thought.

What would you think would have been the result of a Jim Anderton led government?

Fuck knows. He seems like a good bloke but power does corrupt.

Name one film, one book, one play, one poem, and one song that you would like everyone to see, read, or hear. (Perhaps explain why).

Film: ‘Once were warriors’, but everyone’s seen it already so ‘Bandit Queen’ – an Indian movie about radical caste-system enemy, Phoolan Devi (out soon!)

I’m not sure I totally understand what it means. But the sixteenth in me yearns to howl ‘Yes! Yes! Yes!’

Should marijuana use be legalized?

All drugs use should be legalized – up to and including the ‘worst’ drugs (heroin etc). Demand is not the problem, supply is. Supply causes criminal action & human degradation of all kinds. Make supply a part of Norman day-to-day life & that life would be a lot pleasanter for almost every New Zealander.

Do you have faith in the ability of Mandela and the ANC to bring social justice to the ‘New South Africa’?

I have yet to see any govt. bring social justice to any nation. I don’t expect Mandela/ANC to break this pattern.

Has the Labour Party abandoned Rogernomics?

The Labour Party will use anything to regain power and to retain it. If the political climate required that they re-embrace rogernomics in order to do so, I’m sure they will. It will have a different name, of course.

Is feminism still progressive?

Yes, that which allows itself to progress, to recognize new problems, to afford all women respect & dignity regardless of their adherence or not to ‘classic’ ‘70s feminism, to recognize men as allies, to grow into something useful that will include all previous strains of feminism & will not exclude newer, less comfortable ideas. Feminism has never been more important.

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Published 1994.

Images of Chris Knox's original questionaire manuscript can be downloaded below:

Comments

The politics of Chris Knox

The news that New Zealand artist and social commentator Chris Knox has suffered a serious stroke is incredibly sad to hear. As a sort of tribute to Knox, I thought I’d post the responses that he wrote to a political questionnaire that I asked him to fill in about 15 years ago for a leftwing magazine. The content is a bit dated now, of course, but gives a good idea as to the interesting politics of this important leftwing New Zealander. Although in recent years, Knox has been rather soft on the Labour Party, his answers to the questionnaire indicate a rather critical and politically sophisticated punk. [Read more below]